Boffo China B.O. raises ‘Titanic’

3D revamp collects $67 in six days from mainland

“Titanic” 3D sunk its competition during the April 10-15 overseas frame, collecting $98.9 million, with China contributing a jaw-dropping $67 million in six days. The 3D re-do reached $157 million internationally from 69 territories, pushing its lifetime theatrical cume past the $2 billion mark globally.

Weekend grosses for “Titanic” are calculated starting April 13 for the majority of territories; pic’s April 10 bow in China was set by China Film.

“Titanic” 3D, which Fox Intl. is distributing internationally, scored China’s biggest-ever opening, beating the local bow of “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” ($56 million). The 3D conversion of “Titanic” has outstripped the 1997 pic’s original theatrical cume in China by more than 50%.

While the practice of converting pics to 3D is still relatively new for Hollywood — none of the three most recent 3D conversions (“The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Star Wars: Episode I”) were released in China — “Titanic’s” success there is promising news for future conversions, especially considering the nation’s increased quota among 3D and premium large-format pics.

All other markets for “Titanic” 3D paled by comparison, with Russia at $3.2 million, followed by the U.K., Italy and France, all of which contributed just shy of $3 million apiece.

Universal’s “Battleship,” meanwhile, kickstarted its worldwide run ahead of its domestic May 18 opening, with an impressive $55.2 million from only 26 markets. The pic bowed best in South Korea, with roughly $8 million, followed by Blighty at north of $6 million. The U tentpole should have a solid second stanza as it expands into 24 additional markets, including China and Russia.